The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-15
PERIOD ".
RANDOLPH DOOMED

The prosperity of Memphis set IN In
earnest IN 1871. .irUn that year onward
thcrc was no rivalry between II and Ran
dolph worth speaking Of. During IL iris.
bee, who had been tho backbone Of the
%lattcr's triumph, withdrew his assistance
In favor oi Memphis. Why lac did 20 X a
matter OF uncertainty, whether II was
nom u change ol opinion ~ ~ the fulurC
Of the rivals or revenge for sumo slight:
but he cNinocd excellent judgment In the
move. A. an old citizen, whose fortunes
were nj tho time cast with Randolph, ~
marked, "Whcn hc turned his boots
toward Memphis, | felt the bluffs shake. -
II II needless Ia siy that a short time aft
crward lac followed suit. The people up
there were 10th ~ acknowledge the down
iall or yield up their nncicdly Frcurc bust.
ness. In September OF that year llirncy
Gmham, Of Memphis. visited the place for
the purpusc III purchasing the largest mcr.
camille establishment there, lock, stock
aud barrcl. Arriving. he made his object
known, and an examination OF the books
began. The i!Es, record 81 business taken
up was the day book, which revealed no
sale. either large or small, for thirteen
DAYS.
"Iou have ,our books dated wrong.
have you mote nskcd Graham Ut the mcr.
chant.
1bc latter looked, h. answer ~iutcllignily,
but found no crror. "No, SIR hc an.
swcnd.
what No sales 10 record for thirteen
days.
"Noi q sale" was the candid IMPLY.
Gmham gave mp the idea VI iupikiug
the Bluir City lor the then wildcat town.
~ he aftcrNurd stated In rotating his prb.
icCt aud experience To friend, ~ camc
back convinced beyond doubt that Ran
dolph had no future md that Memphis
hal one only limited hy lhc amount 81
grnund available ON which Ia build houses
Ever atctWarl u was good enough Tor
me-" Graham died some ycau ugp. but
not before he had srcn his Judgment plr.
TALLY verified, with every indication uuint-
ing Ia u complete iulhllmcnt. NJ anxious
wrr' the Randolphiirs ~ gct into Mem.
phis briOw the better opportunities fed
that some ui Thorn loaded their traps on
flat-hoais, houses and all, and
Hct up In the succvssiul rival. Said one
old gentleman, who WIS one " the
dcscrtcr but ~ now q succcssiul merchant
hem, ~ have no doubt but that somc NJ
the houses thus moved are standing In
Memphis now There nrc n dozen ur
two Of these mistaken gentlemen hcrr, hut
extensive bribery would bV necessary tn
make them say n'gruia over the change
have over been felt by them.
The unly prominence ever given Ran.
do'ph after The events above noted. Wa
during tho war. Tho town WIS infested
With tonicdcr,tcs who proved destructive
Co The Federal lcct anchored In that yicin.
iiy, Tor which Il was burned. This II
practically the last ever heard Of the place,
although u still furnishes enough business
90 induce steamers 10 land there once or
twice a week. It's condition and prospects
now, NJ compard with tho palmy DAVIS
between 1888 and 1872, " touching, and
furnishes n striking example Of what awaits
any man ~ sct ui men who would dare
attempt 10 establish themselves In oppusi.
ton 70 the onward march Of this city.
What contributed 10 this fatal inverse
IN The niinirs OF Randolph ?" asked the
writer OF nm old citizen. who once halted
between two opinions IA 10 which town
would hc the greater.
Pate was his emphatic reply. "Ii
must have been the intention oil God,